CN110388457B

CN110388457B - Vehicle gear shifting module

Info

Publication number: CN110388457B
Application number: CN201811600057.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·莫雷诺; 孙忠喜
Original assignee: Ficosa International Taicang Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ficosa International Taicang Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-23
Filing date: 2018-12-26
Publication date: 2022-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-26
Also published as: US20190323599A1; US10982754B2; EP3561835B1; CN110388457A; EP3561835A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle gear shift module. The pre-assembled gear shift module is adapted to be connected to the substructure. The pre-assembled gear shift module includes a cover assembly, a circuit board, and a function button. The circuit board is attached to the cover assembly and includes a switch. The function button is exposed through the cover assembly and is operatively connected to the switch.

Description

Vehicle gear shifting module

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle gear shifting system, and more particularly to a modular vehicle gear shifter.

Background

Conventional gear shifters generally function to place at least the vehicle driveline in park, reverse, neutral, and drive conditions. With some gear shifters, the button or lever carried by the shift lever and/or the handle of the shift lever must first be actuated before moving the shift lever to a different position (i.e., park, reverse, neutral, and drive), or also changing the gear position to another position, or even to a predetermined position such as a park position. Conventional gear shifters may also carry many other design features such as some form of position indication and illumination feature (illumination feature) in, for example, a gear shift lever or handle. Such gear shifters may include a large number of individual components, and there are a variety of moving relationships between these components.

There is a need to improve such complex gear shifters, for example to reduce the number of parts, to reduce manufacturing costs, to optimize assembly, to reduce tolerance issues and/or to reduce unwanted play and to improve robustness and reliability.

Disclosure of Invention

In one exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the pre-assembled gear shift module is adapted to be connected to a substructure. The pre-assembled gear shift module includes a cover assembly, a circuit board, and a function button. The circuit board is attached to the cover assembly and includes a switch. The function button is exposed through the cover assembly and is operatively connected to the switch.

In another non-limiting embodiment, a gear shifting module includes a cover assembly, an electrical switch, a shift button, and a linkage. An electrical switch is joined to the cover assembly. The shift button is exposed through the cover assembly and is slidably supported by the cover assembly. In operation, the shift button is adapted to move in a linear direction between an un-depressed position and a depressed position. A linkage is pivotally connected to the cover assembly and operatively extends between the shift button and the electrical switch. The shift button includes a resiliently flexible member in direct contact with the linkage for mitigating lost motion between the shift button and the switch.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations, without exclusion, unless otherwise explicitly stated. These features and elements and their operation will become more apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

Drawings

Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiments. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a gear shift control system as one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a gear shift module of the gear shift control system;

fig. 3 is a perspective view of the gear shift module from below;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of the gear shift module from the outside;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of a lower cover of the gear shift module from below;

fig. 6 is a perspective view of the push button of the gear shift module from below;

fig. 7 is a perspective view of the cover of the gear shift module from the outside;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lever of the gear shift module;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a light guide of the gear shift module;

fig. 10 is a perspective view of the printed circuit board of the gear shift module from below;

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the gear shift module showing the push button of the actuator assembly;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the actuator assembly showing a distal portion of the push button;

figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical switch of the printed circuit board; and

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating force versus axial displacement for a push button.

Detailed Description

Referring to FIG. 1, a gear shift control system 20 is shown as one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure and is connected to a transmission 22 of a vehicle powertrain. The gear shift control system 20 may include a gear shift module 24, a lever or sub-structure 26 (i.e., armature), and a control device 28. In one embodiment, the gear shift module 24 may be a pre-assembled, modular component of the gear shift control system 20. The gear shift module 24 is supported by and secured to the rod 26 or lever handle. The lever 26 may extend from the control device 28, through an interior console 30 of the vehicle, and to the gear shift module 24. In one embodiment, the lever 26 may be supported by the control device 28 and/or generally pivotally connected to the control device 28. The control device 28 is adapted to correlate the position of the lever 26 to a desired transmission position and/or function (i.e., park, neutral, reverse, forward, etc.). In one embodiment, the control device 28 may be adapted to mechanically place the transmission 22 in a desired shift position. In another embodiment, the control device 28 may be part of a shift-by-wire system. It is further contemplated and understood that the gear shift module 24 may be fixed to the handle of the lever and/or may be part of a handle that may be attached or integrated to the lever 26.

Referring to fig. 2-4, the gear shift module 24 functions as a user interface between the vehicle operator and the transmission 22. The gear shift module 24 may include a cover assembly 32, an actuator assembly 34, a circuit board 36 (e.g., printed circuit board, PCB), and a light guide 38. The cap assembly 32 may include a lower cap 40 (see also fig. 5) and a cap 42 (see also fig. 7). The lower cover 40 generally functions as a substructure and may be substantially hidden from view of the vehicle operator. The cover 42 covers the lower cover 40, is connected to the lower cover 40, and is supported by the lower cover 40. As best shown in fig. 4 and 7, the cover 42 may include various visual features (44, 46, 48) that may be continuously or selectively illuminated. Feature 44 may be "R" indicating that the transmission is in reverse, feature 46 may be "N" indicating that the transmission is in neutral, and feature 48 may be "D" indicating that the transmission is in drive. Additionally, another visual feature 49 may include a graphic "M" representing the ability to step-shift transmission gears. It is contemplated and understood that the lower cover 40 and the cover 42 may be manufactured as two separately attachable pieces, or may be manufactured as a single piece, such as in a plastic single or double injection manufacturing process (i.e., molding).

Referring to fig. 5, the lower cover 40 of the cover assembly 32 may include a first side 50 (e.g., an outer side or top side) and an opposite side 52 (e.g., an underside). The first side 50 generally faces the cover 42 and may be in contact with the cover 42. The lower cover 40 may also include a plurality of openings (i.e., three openings identified as 53, 54, 56) defined by a plurality of respective conduits 58, 60, 62 each projecting outwardly from the opposite side 52. Each conduit 58, 60, 62 may be configured to direct light to a

respective feature

44, 46, 48 of the cover 42. In one embodiment, the conduits 58, 60, 62 function to prevent light intended to illuminate one feature from also at least partially illuminating an adjacent feature.

Referring to fig. 2, 3, and 10, the circuit board 36 may be attached (e.g., snap-fit, adhered, or otherwise secured) to a lower cover 40 of the cover assembly 32. The circuit board 36 may include one face 64, one opposing face 66 (i.e., facing in the opposite direction from face 64), at least one electrical switch (i.e., two electrical switches, shown as 68, 70, for operating redundancy), and a plurality of light sources (i.e., four light sources, shown as 72, 74, 76, 78), which may be, for example, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Light sources

72, 74, 76 may be mounted to face 64, while light source 78 and switches 68, 70 may be mounted to opposite face 66. In another example, all of the

light sources

72, 74, 76, 78 may be mounted to the face 64, but the

light sources

72, 74, 76 may emit light generally in a common first direction and the light source 78 may emit light in different directions.

When the gear shift module 24 is fully assembled, the

light sources

72, 74, 76 may be located in the

respective openings

53, 54, 56 and generally shielded by the respective conduits 58, 60, 62 of the lower cover 40. In one embodiment, the distal ends of the conduits 58, 60, 62 are in contact with a face 64 of the circuit board 36, or are proximate to the face 64 of the circuit board 36. The

switches

68, 70 are in operative contact with the actuator assembly 34 and the light source 78 is positioned to output light into the light guide 38.

Referring to fig. 2 and 4, the actuator assembly 34 is adapted to be actuated by an operator of the vehicle. Once actuated, the operator may then change the transmission position by, for example, grasping the gear shift module 24 and moving or pivoting the lever 26 of the gear shift control system 20, or may change the transmission position directly from one position to another, or to a particular position (e.g., from drive "D" to park "P"). The actuator assembly 34 may include a button 80 (e.g., a push button, see also fig. 6) and a linkage 82 (see also fig. 8). The button 80 may include a pad 84, at least one elongated guide 86 (i.e., three are shown), and at least one post 88 (i.e., two are shown). The liner 84 may be located in an opening 90 (see fig. 7) defined by the boundaries of the cover 42 and may include an outer surface 92 exposed through the cover 42 and an inner surface 94 oriented opposite the outer surface 92. It is contemplated and understood that the buttons 80 may be any buttons configured to perform various functions (i.e., function buttons). In the illustrated embodiment, the button 80 is a shift button. The button 80 may be a single piece and may be made of plastic (e.g., injection molded plastic). Similarly, the linkage 82 may be a single unitary piece and may be made of plastic (e.g., injection molded plastic).

The function button 80 may function to place the vehicle in park (i.e., "P" position), or may function to release or initiate a transmission shift. In yet another embodiment, the gear shift module 24 may include both a park button and a shift button that are normally operable off of the single circuit board 36.

In operation, the function button 80 is adapted to be depressed by an operator of the vehicle to perform a function. For example, the function button 80 may be a park button, and is depressed to enable the vehicle to be placed from travel "D" to park "P". Actuation of the button 80 moves along a generally linear centerline C (see fig. 4, 6, and 11) and between an unpressed position and a pressed position. The post 88 of the button 80 projects longitudinally outward from the inner surface 94, through the lower cover 40, and generally parallel to the centerline C. Similarly, the guide 86 projects longitudinally outward from the inner surface 94, through the lower cover 40, and generally parallel to the centerline C.

The guides 86 of the buttons 80 are received in respective channels 96, which may be defined by boundaries carried by respective legs 98 of the lower cover 40, the respective legs 98 of the lower cover 40 projecting outwardly from the opposite sides 52 (i.e., the underside) of the lower cover 40 (see fig. 5). In this manner, the lower cover 40 provides smooth and linear actuation of the button 80 between the depressed and depressed positions.

Referring to fig. 8, 11 and 12, the linkage 82 of the actuator assembly 34 is generally configured to link the button 80 with the

electrical switches

68, 70 such that when the button 80 is moved along the centerline C, the button applies pressure to the linkage 82, causing the linkage 82 to actuate the

switches

68, 70. In one example, the linkage 82 may be a pivoting linkage and may include an end portion 100, an end portion 102 oriented opposite the end portion 100, and an intermediate portion 104 generally located between the

end portions

100, 102. The intermediate portion 104 is pivotally coupled to the lower cover 40 and pivotally coupled about axis a. End portion 100 is in contact with distal portion 106 of post 88 of button 80, and end portion 102 is in contact with

switches

68, 70. The axis a may be spaced radially outward from the centerline C and may be substantially perpendicular to the centerline C.

The distal portion 106 of each strut 88 may include: a resiliently flexible member 110 for taking up slack (i.e., mitigating any lost motion) in the actuator assembly 34; and an index member 108 that is generally less elastic than the flexible member 110 and is opposite the end portion 100. At least a portion of the resiliently flexible member 110 is forward of the index 108 and axially spaced relative to the centerline C and is in direct, biased contact with the end portion 100 of the linkage 82.

In operation of the actuator assembly 34, and when the push button 80 is in the un-depressed position, the biasing member 112 (e.g., a coil spring, see fig. 13) of each

electrical switch

68, 70 can generate a force (see arrow 114 in fig. 13) that is transmitted through the link 82 and against the resiliently flexible member 110 of the push button 80, thereby biasing the push button 80 in or toward the un-depressed position. When the operator of the vehicle depresses the button 80, a force (see arrow 116 in fig. 12) is applied to the pad 84 of the button 80 that exceeds the reaction force of the biasing member 112 of the

switches

68, 70. During this actuation, the resiliently flexible member 110 may be axially displaced a predetermined distance, which may be less than or equal to the axial spacing between the index piece 108 and the resiliently flexible member 110. In other words, to remove play, this flexible geometry abuts the link 82 with an interference fit during assembly. The force of compression is low enough to reduce play without changing the initial peak force of the

switches

68, 70. In one example, the force required to fully bend the resiliently flexible member 110 is less than the force normally applied by the

switches

68, 70 when the button 80 is pressed.

Referring to fig. 14, the dynamics of the actuator assembly 34 are depicted by a graph having an X-axis depicting axial displacement along the centerline C and a Y-axis depicting applied force 116. Point 130 is associated with a maximum force, as one example, button 80 is typically actuated at about 3.2N. Point 132 is associated with a return force (i.e., force 114 from the switch), as one example, at approximately greater than 0.3N. Point 134 is related to the depletion force, as one example, at about 1.8N. Point 136 is associated with an axial travel along the centerline C, as one example, actuating the button 80 at about 1.4 mm. Point 138 is the travel of the button 80, in the case of about 10N and about 2mm, as one example. Point 140 is the maximum stroke, as an example, at 2N and about 0.4 mm.

Referring to fig. 2 and 9, the light guide 38 is adapted to receive light from the light source 78 at an inlet face 118, transmit light internally, and exhaust light at an outlet face 120 generally opposite the pad 84 of the button 80. In one embodiment, the light guide 38 may be supported by the lower cover 40 or secured to the lower cover 40. At least a portion of the liner 84 may be at least partially translucent to allow illumination of the liner by light output by the light guide 38. An imaginary plane of the inlet face 118 may traverse an imaginary plane of the outlet face 120. At least one side of the light guide 38 may include a reflector 122 (i.e., a reflective surface, reflective coating, etc.) to optimize the transfer of light between the faces.

In one embodiment, the pad 84 of the button 80 may be continuously illuminated. In another embodiment, the light source 78 may be energized upon actuation of the

switches

68, 70 or in connection with actuation of the

switches

68, 70, or vice versa.

Benefits and advantages of the present disclosure include a cover and a lower cover that are integrated with an actuator assembly, a PCB, and a light guide all as one modular assembly. Other advantages include illumination alignment, improved transfer efficiency, and reduced actuator assembly play. Additional advantages include cost reduction, which is partly attributable to the use of a single PCB and reduction in wiring, tolerance stack-up simplifies establishing a better constant gap between the button and the cover, and simplifies assembly.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, application, and/or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the particular examples disclosed herein, but includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pre-assembled gear shift module adapted to be connected to a substructure, the pre-assembled gear shift module comprising:

a cap assembly including a cap and a lower cap attachable to the cap;

a circuit board attached to the lower cover of the cover assembly, the circuit board including a first face and an opposing second face, and further including:

a switch; and

a first light source and a second light source adapted to project light through the cover assembly to illuminate external visual features on the cover assembly,

a function button exposed through the cover assembly and the lower cover, the function button being operatively connected to the switch; and

a light guide supported by the lower cover of the cover assembly and adapted to guide light from the first light source of the circuit board through the function button,

wherein the first light source and the switch are mounted on the first side of the circuit board and the second light source is mounted on the second side of the circuit board.

2. The pre-assembled gear shift module of claim 1, further comprising:

a linkage pivotally connected to the cover assembly and extending between and in contact with the function button and the switch.

3. The preassembled gear shift module of claim 2 wherein the function button is adapted to move linearly between an unpressed position and a pressed position.

4. The preassembled gear shift module of claim 3, wherein the function button is a shift button.

5. The preassembled gear shift module of claim 3 wherein the switch includes a biasing member adapted to transfer a force through the linkage onto the function button to bias the function button toward the non-depressed position.

6. The pre-assembled gear shift module of claim 1 wherein the cover assembly defines an opening for receiving and exposing the function button.

7. The preassembled gear shift module of claim 1, wherein the substructure is a shift lever.